Over 200 gathered for the 30th annual Alumni Association Awards Banquet that was held on Thursday of Homecoming week. Those honored included Distinguished Alumni Donna Jean Boyer ’64, Al Landes ’74, and Mike Mastio ’95; Distinguished Faculty Roger Voelkel; Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University – Zack Workman ’74; and Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) – Jonn Casey ’02.
Donna Jean Boyer ’64

Distinguished Alumni Award

Donna Jean graduated from the St. Joseph Junior College and went on to earn a bachelor’s in secondary education – English from Northwest Missouri State University. She also earned her master’s in guidance and counseling from NWMSU.
Donna Jean taught language arts at Benton High School for 38 years before she retired in 2001. She was elected as an at-large St. Joseph City Council member in 1998 and was elected for her fourth term in 2010. She served as Deputy Mayor from 2002-06.
Al Landes ’74

Distinguished Alumni Award

Since 2009, Al has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Herzog Contracting Corp. in St. Joseph, a company that employs 1,800 and completes projects around the world.

When Al served as president of Beavers Inc., a professional association, in 2008, he selected Missouri Western to receive $100,000 from the group. He is currently the vice president of the Associated General Contractors of America, the largest construction association in the U.S. Al also helped found the Engineering Technology Advancement Committee to support Missouri Western’s Department of Engineering Technology.

 

Dr. Michael Mastio ’95

Distinguished Alumni Award

Mike graduated with a mathematics degree from Missouri Western, and is Vice President – Engineering, Technology and Operational Innovation for YUM! Brands, Inc. He owns four patents, has two pending and one in review.

Mike, a Navy veteran, earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Missouri.

He was named Sailor of the Year in 1990, Top Student/Scholar for the state of Missouri and Undergraduate of the Year for Phi Sigma Kappa, both in 1994.

 

Zack Workman ’74

Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University

After teaching in both elementary and high schools and coaching for eight years, Zack started his own lawn care and landscaping business – Lawns Unlimited Inc. in Cameron, Mo.

The former Griffon tight end, punter and wide receiver has been a member of the Gold Coat Club since 1992, and serves as president of the group. Zack is also a member of the Department of Athletics Hall of Fame and a member of the Missouri Western Foundation Board of Directors.

 

Jonn-Thomas Casey ’02

GOLD Award

Jonn served in the Navy and as an electrician before he decided to return to school as a nontraditional student.

Today he teaches science at South Holt R-I High School in Oregon, Mo. and is the head wrestling and track coach, as well as assistant football coach.

He and his family also started Casey’s Creatures, where they take live animals, including several snakes, to shows all over the region.

Jonn has been named Walmart Teacher of the Year and KQ2’s Teacher That Makes a Difference.

 

Roger Voelkel

Distinguished Faculty Award

Roger began teaching at Missouri Western in 1996 and retired as assistant professor and Simulation Lab Manager for the Department of Nursing and Allied Health this past spring.

As the lab manager, Roger coordinated the expansion of the lab and the acquisition of two high-fidelity simulators. He then created “mini-sims” for nursing students, and his research has shown them to be an effective learning tool.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duke University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma. A Navy veteran, Roger had been the director of nursing at Missouri Baptist Hospital before joining Missouri Western.

 

2012 Award recipients include Donna Jean Boyer, Zack Workman, Jonn-Thomas Casey, Al Landes, Roger Voelkel, Michael Mastio.

 

Alumni Legacy Scholarships 359

At the annual awards banquet, recipients of the Alumni Legacy scholarships were recognized. These scholarships, new this year, are awarded to incoming freshmen who meet the criteria and have at least one parent who is an alumnus/alumna:

 

  • Lindsay Beger, Shawnee Mission, Kan. daughter of Janet ’78 and Steven ’79 Beger.
  • Cole Brockett, St. Joseph, son of Kennan Brockett ’82.
  • Mackenzie Burgess, St. Joseph. Mackenzie’s mother, Kim Burgess, graduated in 1999.
  • Makenzie Calloway, Savannah, Mo. Parents are Ricky’95, and Dana ’99, Calloway.
  • Tabitha Clevenger, St. Joseph. Her parents are James ’88, and Virginia ’90, Clevenger.
  • McKenzie Crouse, Easton, Mo. McKenzie mother, Diane, graduated in 1981.
  • Gavin Dilley, Lawson, Mo. Lorna, Gavin’s mother, graduated in 1990.
  • Ashlyn Dixon, Easton, Mo. Ashlyn’s father is Jason ’91.
  • Amanda Estep, Cameron, Mo. Her mother is Rebecca Estep ’87.
  • Katelyn Gutteridge, Lee’s Summit, Mo. Her father is Efrem Gutteridge ’83.
  • Amber Guyer, St. Joseph, daughter of Stacie King ’09.
  • Chanelle Hall, St. Joseph. Chanelle’s father, William, is an alumnus.
  • Kaitlin Houser, Easton, Mo., She is the daughter of David ’86, and Julie ’85, Houser.
  • Shelbie Kirkendoll, Kearney, Mo. Shelbie’s mother is Kim Kirkendoll ’89.
  • Casey Leslie, St. Joseph, daughter of Susan Leslie ’93.
  • Alex Luke, St. Joseph. He is the son of Tony ’85, and Karen ’87, Luke.
  • Sylvia Majerus, St. Joseph, is the daughter of Laura Neely ’97.
  • Linsey Meek, Edgerton, Mo. She is the daughter of Allison Meek ’93.
  • Shelby Meng, St. Joseph. Shelby’s father is Steve Meng ’91.
  • Kathryn Parton, Pattonsburg, Mo. Her mother, Tracy, is a graduate of Missouri Western.
  • Lauren Peek, St. Joseph. She is the daughter of Leah Peek ’90.
  • Danielle Pike, Gower, Mo., daughter of Kenneth ’93 and Shannon ’89 Pike.
  • Zachary Sanders, Holt, Mo. His mother is Carol Sanders ’07.
  • Kayli Silkett, Savannah, Mo., is the daughter of Johnnie ’92 and Michelle ’88 Silkett.
  • Kip Smith, St. Joseph. Kip’s mother is Jennifer Smith ’87.
  • Ashlyn Stevens, Stewartsville, Mo., is the daughter of Gretchen ’99 and Bill ’81 Stevens.
  • Lauren Stewart, St. Joseph, is the daughter of Bonita Nelson-Stewart ’84.
  • Jeffery Stout, St. Joseph. His mother is Ronda Smith ’03.
  • Abbey Vacca, Smithville, Mo. She is the daughter of Lora Vacca ’82.